Take a read of the season review for this team who pulled off something quite special during winter tournament week.

It is hard to define what makes up team culture but this year’s batch of Under 15 players were a somewhat special breed. Sure, results on the field were fantastic; culminating with the School’s 3rd National title win since its inception in 1979, but what really made this side special is the way they have developed over the past two years. Probably, what best describes the ethos of this team, can be understood through some of the many “Gen X” hashtags instilled along the way. #wholooksafterus.wedo #justanotherdayatthefactory #wearetheboysfromtheschool #embracethemahi #bortallelei #smilesonthedials #keepcomposure #clearthemist #altiorapeto

At the end of the day, our mantra was based on ideals that underpins every player who has donned the blue and black for the love of code and school. Mental toughness. Resilience. Togetherness. This was personified when we look back at the way the side defended. Out of the twenty unbeaten matches played, only 186 points were scored against them, that’s less than 10 points a game. By contrast, the attack amassed 807 points with a brand of rugby based on urgency, width and support. None perhaps more impressive than their away win in their traditional fixture against Otago Boys’ High School, defeating the hosts 67-0 in extremely boggy, cold and wet affair.

After raising the bat twice in the two grading games verses Otautahi and Christ’s College Under 15A’s respectively a decision on playing in the Under 15 section 1 grade was questioned. However, the section did provide some tough encounters between Shirley Boys’, St Thomas’ and St Bedes. Despite a lack of variety with in the four team section, the boys showed up week in and week out to represent the jersey with pride and put into practice the particular shape and pattern of that week’s trainings.

A touring squad from esteemed rugby college Millfield (England) provided a new challenge mid-season. The Millfield squad fielded a very fast, physical team of under 15/16 year olds who had come to Christchurch buoyant after already toppling junior teams from other traditional New Zealand rugby schools. The Boys High brothers played a brand of footy clearly unseen by the tourists with line speed and tenacity in the tackle combined with offloads and footwork resulting in the local lad’s getting the job done with a hard fought 24-12 victory.

The team finished off the Christchurch Metro season with a resounding 50 points to 10 win over the toughest rivals of the year, Shirley, who incidentally went on to finish their impressive season with gaining top spot in their South Island quadrangular tournament. Holding the U15 section 1 Championship Cup and Challenge Shield it was finally time to turn all their attention to what they had been training so hard for all year, the New Zealand Secondary Schools Under 15 Invitational Tournament hosted this year by Wellington College.

Dubbed the “Pool of Death” we were to face formidable opponents in Rotorua and Napier Boys’ who had both finished their local seasons as unbeaten champions and along with St Patricks College town who would be playing on their home turf, the first three pool matches were going to be tough.

A somewhat nervous start with the ball on day one saw fairly low scoring, tight encounters where resolute defence got us on the right side of the ledger against Rotorua (12-10) and St Pats (6-0) who were both good sides. Most years at this

tournament, winning your two opening pool games usually means you are through to the top eight on Wednesday. Not the case this year, with all four teams still in with the sniff on day two. To make it simple, a win against Napier would ensure the chance of being at the right end of the ledger at the back end of the week. Back on a more familiar grass surface, the side played with confidence and were more accurate on attack. It was still a physical encounter but we managed to win ball at critical moments and kicked very well. 16-7 win to make it a clean sweep of pool play.

For the third consecutive year, we met New Plymouth Boys’ in a play off match. After heavy overnight rain, a number of matches were moved to synthetic turfs. Our match stayed on grass as scheduled which suited us perfectly. After some early morning reconnaissance and sprig changes, the forwards were dominant at set piece and were able to grind down a typically tough Taranaki side. In the end, it was a very good performance and besides losing lock Josh Taula to a head knock from friendly fire, we were in a good spot heading into Thursday’s semi final against. The 18-13 score line not necessarily reflecting the one-sidedness of this match.

Thursday saw the side pitted against Hastings Boys’ High School. Aggressive at the breakdown and dominant their forwards early on. A surge from Hastings just after half time had some nervous, but it was never enough to bridge the gap and we secured the win with a late try. Probably the best performance of the week and it was clear to see the side growing in belief and confidence with an impressive 29-12 victory.

Hamilton Boys’ have been a dominant force at this tournament in recent years and are almost always there or there abouts at the pointy end. After losing last year’s final to Auckland Grammar, they were always going to be hungry to take this out. Hamilton started with a hiss and a roar and played “keep ball” for the first 12 minutes. They surged to an early lead 15-3 but tries either side of oranges, got the boys from the school back in it. Once we got our hands on the ball, Hamilton looked more vunerable and didn’t seem to have the same defensive structures that we did. At 15 all, this was a very good contest. Hamilton went in front with a penalty and held that lead until the final ten minutes. Turning down a penalty we could have thrown over to square it up, many thought it could have slipped away but sustained pressure and a beautifully worked move saw us dot down with just a couple of minutes to go. 22-19 up, defence had to remain staunch and it did. 2017 National Champions. Well earned! Well deserved!

A huge thank you goes out to the many vital cogs behind this team’s success. Assisting with everything from; videoing games, billeting, managing trips, vocalising encouragement, driving your boys to training and organising fundraisers to purchasing the ice. The team’s success would not have been possible without the parents and supporters doing anything and everything to keep the boys healthy, happy and focused. Special mention must go out to the team’s sponsors who assisted greatly with the large financial outlay required to provide the boys with an enjoyable, relatively carefree season: Future Air Solutions, Mike Greer, Joes Garage, Lonestar, Frontrunner and the CBHS Rugby Club. Also, a special mention to Matt Bateman for his Zuu sessions, Dave Hewitt’s scrum cave lesson and Mr Watson’s intensive pretournament management and lineout tutorials.

Mr Parr and Mr Smith ran a managerial system at tournament which was second to none. Providing services from laundry to strapping and food prep to some inspirational messages. Their love for “the factory” shone through as the boys embraced their assistance and guidance through the gruelling week, later acknowledging that the duos work was an integral part to being there to lift the tournament trophy.

Coaches: Phil McKay, Graeme Moody
Management: Matt Parr, Rob Smith, Phil Watson